At a glance
Forsyth Park is a park at Savannah, GA 31401, USA. Google reviewers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 19,515 reviews. It's open every day, Open 24 hours. To book or check ahead, call +1 912-351-3841 or see savannahga.gov/351/Parks-Playgrounds.
About Forsyth Park
Forsyth Park is the largest park in Savannah's Historic District, covering 30 acres between Gaston Street to the north and Park Avenue to the south, with Drayton Street on the east and Whitaker Street on the west. The land was laid out in the 1840s and named for John Forsyth, Georgia's 33rd governor, who donated 20 of its acres.
The fountain at the north end is the landmark. It was installed in 1858 and has benches all around it, so it's an easy place to sit and watch the park go by. Paths run under live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and the original ten-acre northern section holds the Victorian gardens and many of the shaded picnic spots. The Confederate monument, dedicated in 1879, stands in the center of the park.
Locals use it as a daily hangout: people walk, read, sunbathe and play basketball and tennis on the courts at the south end. It's free, and it works well as a picnic stop. In our Savannah in 3 days plan, it's the Day 2 picnic by the fountain, with groceries picked up at Brighter Day Natural Foods on Park Avenue. For more on keeping costs down, see the Savannah on a budget guide.
Tips
- Pick up picnic food at Brighter Day Natural Foods on Park Avenue, on the park's edge, or at the Saturday market.
- Walk the shaded paths in the northern gardens for photos; late afternoon light through the moss is flattering.
- Go early in the morning if you want the fountain with fewer people around.
- Stay in well-lit areas after dark and go with someone rather than alone.
Good to know
- Admission is free.
- The Forsyth Farmers' Market runs every Saturday, 9 AM to 1 PM, year-round, rain or shine.
- The park closes after dark; the lighted areas stay open until 11 PM.
- There is a parking lot at the south end that fills quickly, plus free street parking around the park.
- The city dyes the fountain green each St. Patrick's Day, and the ceremony takes about 30 minutes.
Getting there
The park sits at the southern edge of the Historic District. Search "Forsyth Park" in a map app, or use Drayton St & W Gaston St. Parking is at the south end lot or on the streets around the park.
Best time to go
Weekday mornings are calmer, and late afternoon has the best light. Saturday mornings bring the farmers' market, 9 AM to 1 PM, which is lively but busier. Check the market calendar before you go..
Plan about 1.5 hours here, and check the hours before you go.
